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Cultural and well-being activities at heart of ageing population in Frankfurt

With Germany's population of over-60s set to grow from 27% to 39% in the next
30 years, finding new ways to overturn this negative image and experience and
reduce the country's healthcare burden is vital. Promoting healthier and
happier ageing and solidarity among communities are increasingly being seen as
the cornerstones of improved quality of life.

Frankfurt is one of the cities working for healthier ageing and intergenerational solidarity. On 26-27 October, EUROCITIES Working Group on urban ageing has met in Frankfurt to learn from city's work for its ageing population.

One of the main initiatives of Frankfurt's Public Health Authority, the Silver Screen - European Intergenerational Film Festival focuses on the positive images of active and healthy ageing. Shortlisted also for EUROCITIES 2018 award in Edinburgh – ‘Creative Competitive Cities', the festival is inspiring new perspectives and behaviours, promoting intergenerational dialogue and spearheading a new approach to wellbeing. Since it’s first edition in 2010, the concept has been replicated in more than 70 cities and villages.

Beside the cultural activities provided for the ageing population, Frankfurt's Public Health Authority is also active on preventing suicides. Frankfurt’s network on suicide prevention (FRANS), founded in 2014, is one the initiatives gathering more than 70 local partners in fighting suicide behaviours especially for ageing population. The main objective is to reduce the suicide rate by raising awareness among the population and professional, on the suicide and mental illness, improving the data situation regarding suicides in Frankfurt and developing comprehensive relief and coping services in Frankfurt. Read more about the initiative here.

As part of the programme and connected to the ageing friendly cities, Ljublijana was invited to present their ‘age-friendly action’ of the ‘Strategy for the development of social care in Ljubljana’. The action plan includes legislative activities, social care programmes for elderly, physical activity, education opportunities, cultural activities, housing, accessibility and raising awareness activities. The city has also presented the limitation that they face at local level like: providing services for people with dementia, lack of institutional care homes, inclusion of older people that are living isolated in their homes and the lack of social care providers.

The participants had the chance to attended other initiatives of the Public Health Authority, which are focused on creating the context for combining physical activities and social interaction for old people. Read more about the meeting here.